The 8 Herpes Secrets for Living Completely Outbreak Free

Transcription

1 The 8 Herpes Secrets for Living Completely Outbreak Free Updated Edition - Revised April 2008 Real Ways you Can Prevent Herpes Outbreaks and Start Living Your Life Again

2 Table of Contents Introduction Section One: What Causes Herpes? A Brief History of Herpes What is a Virus? The Herpes Family How does the virus work? What happens to your body during an outbreak? Growth Cycle of the Virus Chapter Review Section Two: Testing for Herpes Noticing the symptoms Available Tests for Herpes Types of Tests How to Prepare How is the Test Performed? Results Emotional side of genital herpes Emotional Side of Oral Herpes More about testing Chapter Review Section Three: Prevention of spreading the herpes virus Mother to baby Steps you can take Spreading Herpes to Yourself When is herpes most likely to be spread? Avoid spreading oral herpes Avoid spreading genital herpes What about public places? Can I get herpes through sperm? Chapter Review Section Four: Genital Herpes and Oral Herpes explained Genital Herpes Signs and symptoms of genital herpes Oral Herpes Signs and symptoms Phases of HSV Asymptomatic Warning Phase Early Redness Vesicles

3 Wet Ulcers Dry Crust Healed Other Questions Answered Chapter Review Section Five: Herpes and Stress How does stress affect herpes? Proven ways to reduce stress Beat Anger Stress Relieving Steps Get enough sleep Support Groups Chapter Review Section Six: The Importance of Diet & Nutrition with Exercise How does nutrition affect herpes? What is a healthy diet for someone with herpes virus? What foods are good for you? What foods are bad for you? What can you do at home nutrition wise to help? What herbs help suppress herpes outbreaks? What vitamins can help reduce outbreaks? How does exercise help? How to get daily exercise Importance of the Immune System Chapter Review Section Seven: Herpes Treatments Medications for herpes treatment Treatment without prescription medication Is there a cure for herpes? What are the treatments for herpes? Treating herpes naturally Can you spread herpes to others while being treated? What is being done to find a cure or vaccine for herpes? Chapter Review Section Eight: Herpes and the immune system What is the immune system? How does the immune system work? Blood cells Building a strong immune system How does herpes affect the immune system? How can vitamins help? Great Immune Boosters! Herbs for a healthy immune system

4 Get moving! Air purifiers Chapter Review Conclusions Recommended Herpes Resources.Page

5 Introduction Herpes What comes to mind when you hear that word? What do you think about? What images does it produce in your mind? What emotions does it stir up within you? What do you know about this disease? Do you have it? What about someone close to you? You might be surprised at the answers What is herpes simplex virus? Chances are you have probably heard of herpes before (especially if you ve chosen this book). You might have seen advertisements for herpes treatments on the television or in magazines or maybe you know someone who has it. In fact, growing media coverage is part of a global plan to inform more people about this virus and how it works. 80 Million people in the United States alone are believed to have this virus and there are many more in other parts of the world. You might have it yourself and not even know it. Or maybe you have been diagnosed with herpes already and you are struggling and fighting a daily battle with the virus. It can be devastating to find out you have herpes. It can truly be a life-changing event and many people have mixed feelings about it and what they should do. You might not know what to do or where to go. It s hard sometimes to know where to get the answers to questions such as these

6 You wonder how this will affect the rest of your life and what can be done to treat it. Maybe someone you love has been diagnosed with herpes and you are wondering how it will affect them and also how it will affect you if you have a relationship with them. You might not even be aware of how many people out there actually have some form of the herpes virus. These are all very common questions and concerns for you if you have been diagnosed with herpes whether it was recently or years ago. It s important that you take the time to learn all you can about this virus, how it affects you and what you can do about it. The more you learn, the better able you will be to fight the virus. There are also different types of herpes that have different symptoms and affect different parts of your body. Also, the very same type of herpes virus can cause different responses in different people who are infected with it. The biggest problem with herpes is misinformation. People are unsure of what it really is and how it spreads even though it has been around for a very long time. This misinformation leads to the condition spreading more and more and people not getting treatment they need and deserve. Another problem with information about herpes is that for so long people were afraid to talk about it. Even today, it is not as commonly discussed as you may think, even though millions of people all over the world have the virus. However, you don t have to suffer in silence. You owe it to yourself to learn more about the herpes simplex virus, whether you or someone you know has been diagnosed with it or not. It s very

7 important that everyone become aware of it and the signs, symptoms, treatment and more. You need to know that you can live outbreak free and that you can enjoy a happy and healthy life with the herpes virus. I even have a friend that has gone almost 10 years without an outbreak or recurrence! So while there might not be a definite cure at this time, with proper lifestyle changes and maintenance, you can control your herpes instead of it controlling you! But it s not just about being outbreak free. If you have herpes, you need to know that you are not alone. There are millions of people out there living with the virus. There is also a wealth of information to be obtained about this disease and how it is treated. Studies are being conducted every day and people are learning new ways to treat the virus and reduce the symptoms that come with it. There is an emotional and psychological side to the virus as well and there are support groups out there to help you. You can meet other people living with the herpes simplex virus and share stories and companionship and also learn how they cope with the virus on a daily basis. You don t have to go through this alone. Twenty-some years ago, people were contracting the herpes virus and spreading it to partners and many of them had no idea they even had the virus. Some went to doctors that misdiagnosed it or failed to recognize the symptoms. Some just ignored the problem,

8 hoping it would go away. Few people knew about the disease and even fewer about how it reacts in the body, how it can be treated and how it was spread. All of this misinformation led to it being spread more rapidly to more people and also for more people suffering because they don t know how to make it better. That is simply not true today. While it still remains a taboo topic sometimes, there is a lot more information available about this virus. Scientists understand how it works and how it affects the body. Doctors are better able to test for it, recognize it and treat it. Breakthroughs in the medical field are coming every day and there is hope in the future for herpes sufferers. There is still a long way to go and still a lot to learn about the virus but even with what is known now, you can get your herpes under control. You can learn how to live outbreak free and we want to help you with that! We are going to give you some great information and facts on herpes that you probably didn t know before as well as some valuable secrets on how you can live outbreak free. Congratulations on getting this book and taking the first step to becoming outbreak free. I have taken the time here not only to give you the facts on herpes simplex virus but also to answer some of the most commonly asked questions about herpes. We ve asked for feedback and we asked for questions from people just like you and now I m going to give you the answers here in this book. We re going to tell you what contributes to outbreaks and

9 how your lifestyle, diet and exercise can help reduce or even eliminate outbreaks and much more. Herpes doesn t have to control your life and here in this book I am going to give you the eight secrets to living completely outbreak free!

10 Section One: What Causes Herpes? Before you can understand how to prevent herpes outbreaks, you need to actually understand what herpes is and how it is contracted. The first step to living completely outbreak free is to learn all you can about your herpes and how it works. There is actually a lot of misinformation about herpes and how it works as well as what causes it and how it is spread from one person to another. Even though there are millions of people in the United States alone, not to mention people all over the world that have this virus, there are not many people that know that much about it. I hope to be able to help clear some of that up for you here in this section. So, what exactly is herpes? Herpes is defined as a contagious infection that is caused by the herpes simplex virus. There are two common types of the virus; herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV1) and herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV2). Type one is commonly known as herpes of the mouth because it causes cold sores (fever blisters) around the mouth and lips and inside the mouth. Herpes type 2 is most commonly referred to as genital herpes, an STD (sexually transmitted disease). It is estimated that

11 50% to 80% of adults in the United States have HSV-1 and 20% have HSV-2. Technically, both types can occur in either place of the body and in rare cases, even in different parts of the body so it s important to know they are not restricted to the specific area mentioned. This is simply where you most commonly find that type. How do you get herpes? Herpes can be spread from person to person through direct contact. HSV1 can be spread through kissing, sharing drinks and eating utensils and other items that come into contact with the sores. HSV2 is spread through intimate sexual contact with someone who is infected with the virus. A mother with genital herpes can spread it to her baby if she delivers vaginally while she has an active outbreak. Another thing you need to understand is that both types can cause outbreaks on both the genitals and the mouth. This means, you can have Type 2 on your mouth (possibly from oral sex) and you can have Type 1 in your genitals as well. Both types act very much the same way and are very similar. They are also similar in the way they are diagnosed and treated. Certain tests can determine which of the types you have if this is a concern

12 Is herpes hereditary? We will talk more in the coming sections about how herpes is contracted and spread but this is a common question. Herpes is not hereditary and you can not get it by having a parent that has it. It is not passed down through the blood from mother to child. Parents can not give it to their children unless they have direct skin to skin contact while infected. (Sometimes cold sores can be passed by sharing glasses, utensils, etc.) Congenital herpes happens when a mother with an active outbreak gives birth vaginally to a newborn baby that contracts it. If the baby is delivered via C-section, this does not occur as the virus is not in the mother s blood and can not be transferred any other way except direct contact with the lesions. Again, we will talk more about this later. Herpes can also not be spread through the air the way other viruses such as the flu is. You can t catch it just from touching someone who has it, shaking hands or being breathed on. It is also not spread through saliva, etc. However, the virus can be a bit tricky in how it is spread since people can have it and not show any symptoms yet still be a carrier and spread it to others. So what else do we know about the incurable virus called herpes? How long has it been around? What is being done to treat it? What happens to people infected with it? Let s begin with a brief history of herpes and what it is

13 A Brief History of Herpes Herpes is not some new phenomenon. In fact, the term herpes is over 25 centuries old. It goes back to Ancient Greek times. It means to creep and was so named by Hippocrates, the father of medicine. In those days, diseases were always classified and named according to how they looked or what they did to the body. While we were not very close to understanding how it works back then, doctors did have a general idea of what it did to the body and there is evidence that it has been around for a very, very long time in human history. In fact, it is even believed that Shakespeare was familiar with the herpes simplex lesions and how they are transmitted. This evidence comes from a part in Romeo and Juliet where he writes Queen Mab to say "O'er ladies lips, who straight on kisses dream, which oft the angry Mab with blisters plagues, because their breaths with sweetmeats tainted are." So history shows that some form of herpes has been around for a long time. Regardless of all this evidence, it was not until 1893 when Vidal recognized that human transmission of herpes simplex infection from one individual to another exists. Before this discovery, we didn t know much else about the condition or how to treat or prevent it. During the twentieth century, HSV research really took off. Histopathologic studies characterized the multinucleated giant cells associated with herpes virus infection

14 In 1919, Lowenstein confirmed experimentally the infectious nature of HSV that Shakespeare had only suspected back in his day. This was a breakthrough in the disease and how it is spread from one person to another. In the 1920's and 1930's, the history of HSV was widely studied and it was found that HSV not only infects the skin, but also the central nervous system. By the 1940's and 1950's, research continued on the many diseases caused by HSV. More recent research has focused on antiviral research, differences between HSV strains, and using HSV vectors for use in vaccines to help prevent the disease and find a cure. Varicella-Zoster Virus (chickenpox) also has a long recorded history. However, historical accounts often fail to distinguish between the poc marks caused by VZV and those caused by small pox. In the late eighteenth century, Heberden established a way to clinically make a distinction between the two diseases. In 1888, it was suggested by von Bokay that chickenpox and herpes zoster were due to the same type of virus or agent. It was not until Weller and Stoddard isolated viruses from both chickenpox and zoster and compared the viruses that this connection was confirmed. Chickenpox and herpes zoster are indeed due to the same virus! However, medicine s understanding of herpes has continued to come a long way since those early beginnings. We now know that herpes is caused by what is called a filterable virus. This means the virus is so small that a particle could pass through a paper filter without being discovered by a microscope

15 And yet, these filterable viruses are known for causing a great many diseases and conditions such as polio, hepatitis, influenza, rhinovirus (the common cold) and the various herpes viruses. What is a Virus? So now you know that herpes is a virus. It is not genetic and it is not caused by bacteria or in the ways that cancers and similar conditions are caused. Do you know what a virus really is? Do you understand how they work within the body? It s important that you do if you hope to understand how and why herpes acts the way it does in the human body and how you can work to prevent outbreaks. A virus is actually a very small living thing. Viruses are defined as parasites of cells, which mean they attack the cells of your body and this is how they thrive. You likely know that your entire body is made up of cells and each cell has a different function. Different viruses affect different cells and have a different affect and outcome on the body. The whole purpose of a virus is to continue to reproduce itself. It can t live on its own and it depends on DNA or RNA to continue to replicate itself. The virus is a parasite so it has to latch on to a cell in your body to be able to live and reproduce itself. This is how the family of herpes viruses acts. The different viruses will attack different cells of your body (also depending on where you received your initial

16 infection). They will attack that particular part of the body at the cellular level. The herpes virus can lie dormant in your nerves for a period of time and when it becomes active again, will travel down the nerve and to the skin usually in the same location as the original infection and cause you to have a re-episode of your symptoms. Did you know that there are different types of herpes viruses? They are all still part of the herpes family of viruses as they are similar but they cause different reactions in the body. The Herpes Family Many people do not realize how many different types of herpes there are in the herpes family and they don t realize the certain common diseases are caused by a herpes virus (such as chicken pox). There are actually 5 different types of herpes viruses in the herpes family. The term herpes has become common when referring to the HSV1 and 2 types. The focus of this book is on those types but it s good to know the other types that are in the same family so you can understand the virus and also understand why some studies say there is an estimated 90% of the population with some form of herpes virus

17 1. Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 and 2: You know these to be the most common types that cause outbreaks on the mouth and/or genitalia. 2. Herpes Zoster (Varicella zoster): This is the herpes virus type that causes chickenpox and shingles. 3. Epstein-Barr virus: Causes mononucleosis, the kissing disease 4. Cytomegalovirus: Fairly new discovery in the herpes family. Can also cause mono and can cause hepatitis and problems in newborns. Can be transmitted sexually. 5. Human herpes virus Type 6: Causes Roseola (a viral infection that causes skin rash and fever in small children, usually below the age of three). There has also been a type 7 that is linked with this one. Studies on each of these different types and strains of the herpes virus can help progress toward better treatments and eventually a cure of HSV1 and 2. Already there is a vaccine against chicken pox and there is hope that there will one day also be one for other viruses in the herpes family

18 How does the virus work? Before you can ever hope to understand how to live herpes free, you need to understand how the virus works and what it is actually doing in your body. You need to understand what happens when you become infected and what happens each time you have an outbreak or recurrence. This will help you better understand how certain treatments work and how things like your diet and exercise can help reduce the recurrence of outbreaks if you have herpes. Now that you know that herpes is caused by a virus, do you understand how the virus works in your body? Do you know why there is no cure for herpes? This is one of the most misunderstood viruses known to affect humans and also one of the most common. Herpes simplex virus is in the same family of virus that causes chicken pox, mononucleosis and shingles (herpes zoster). There are no cures for viruses (think of the common cold) but there are treatments available to help with the symptoms. However, once you have herpes, it will be with you for the rest of your life (unless a cure is discovered in your lifetime). In many cases, herpes doesn't cause any symptoms, so it's possible for a person to carry it and unknowingly pass it on to someone else. In other cases, herpes infections can lead to infections in other parts of the body

19 There is no cure for herpes. In fact, once you have been infected with the herpes virus, it's in your body forever. There are medications that can lessen some of the discomfort that outbreaks cause and medications to help prevent outbreaks from occurring. And there are things you can do to help protect yourself - and your family -from getting infected by the virus. The best way to handle this is to inform yourself as much as possible. Sometimes people who have oral or genital herpes only have one outbreak. You may have an outbreak when you first contract the virus, or you might not. In some cases, the extent of the outbreak is so mild, you might not recognize it for what it is. Other people have many outbreaks, which are less painful and shorter than the initial episode. To understand this, you need to know that the herpes simplex virus can exist in two different stages: 1] The active stage, when lesions are growing on the skin. 2] The latent stage when the virus is lying dormant in the nervous system. The virus can move from a latent stage into an active stage and cause a reoccurrence. There are different reasons for this and different things that may cause or contribute to a reoccurrence. Also, every person s body reacts differently to the virus which is why some people have more outbreaks than others

20 What happens to your body during an outbreak? The best way to understand how the virus works is to understand what happens to your body during an outbreak. When you do not have an outbreak, the virus is lying dormant in your system. This doesn t mean you have been cured. You still have the virus. It just means that the virus is not actively causing symptoms in your body. It is still possible to spread herpes to others even if you are outbreak free. Remember the different stages that the virus can go into. Remember that it lies dormant in your nerve cells, a teeny-tiny organism feeding off your cells but it never dies and never goes away. Also remember that some people may be in the active stage with very little to no symptoms at all. You might not have large sores or lesions so you may not realize you are in the active stage and you can still spread the virus to someone else. Why is it that some people go for years without an outbreak and other people seem to have them often? Why is it you can have the herpes virus without ever having an outbreak? To understand the answers to these questions, you need to understand what happens to your body during an outbreak

21 In HSV1 blisters form on the lips and on the inside of the mouth, and soon develop into painful ulcers. You have probably heard of them called cold sores or fever blisters. The gums become red and swollen, and the tongue may develop a white coating. Other symptoms may include fever, muscle aches, trouble with eating, a generally ill feeling, irritability and swollen neck glands. These symptoms can last from two to three weeks. After your get the initial herpes infection the virus can lie dormant without causing any symptoms for some time. But the virus can reactivate at a later time, leading to a tingling and numbness around the mouth, then a blister that breaks and forms a crust. The virus tends to activate itself during or just after some type of stress on the body such as a cold, an infection, hormone changes, menstrual periods or even a tooth extraction. Symptoms of genital herpes, HSV2 typically begin with pain, tenderness, or itching in the genital area and also include fever and headache. In males, blisters appear on the penis. In females, blisters appear on the area around the vagina and in the cervix. In both, the blisters may appear on the thighs and buttocks. Blisters soon erupt to form painful sores that last 1 to 3 weeks. There are also some other symptoms that may appear such as pain or a burning sensation during urination; a clear mucus-like discharge from the vagina or urethra (opening for urine) in females; a

22 clear mucus-like discharge from the tip of the penis in males; and tender, swollen glands in the groin area. As with HSV1, after an initial outbreak of genital herpes blisters, HSV2 also remains dormant in nearby nerves and can be reactivated later in life. The symptoms of reactivated genital herpes are similar to those of first outbreak, but they're generally less severe. However, the virus may react differently in different people. Some people have more frequent outbreaks than others and some have more severe outbreaks. Growth Cycle of the Virus The herpes virus, like all viruses goes through a growth cycle. So what stops a viral infection? The growth cycle of the virus is halted by your body s natural immune system. Your immune system produces proteins called antibodies, which you have likely heard of before. These antibodies work together with other cells called lymphocytes and macrophages to cling to the viral participles and inactivate them. Remember, they don t destroy them or get rid of them, but they inactivate them. A healthy immune system will kill the living viral particles and clean up the sick and infected cells and make room for new and healthy cells to grow. So why doesn t this cure you of herpes? Why doesn t our body develop immunity to the virus? Well, have you ever wondered why you don t become immune to the common cold? It s kind of the same thing

23 You might be surprised to learn that you actually do develop immunity to the herpes virus. As we described above, in a healthy person, the body s immune system will attack the virus and shut it down. Then, it all gets a bit trickier. Scientists are not 100% clear on exactly how all of it works but basically; the herpes virus goes into its latent phase which is essentially, a state of hibernation. Normally, the virus will stay in a latency stage until something comes along to reactivate it. The virus lies dormant in your nerve cells not in the skin cells where you typically see signs of the infection. When something triggers the nerve and reactivates the virus, it will travel down the nerve to the site where it originally infected (such as the genitals or the lips) and will begin attacking healthy cells again. The herpes virus has an inside tricks or traveling from cell to cell instead of developing inside a cell and then bursting out of it. Since it remains inside the cell, this makes it hard for the antibodies to kill it which is why it remains in the body. This is why there is currently no vaccine for the herpes simplex virus. A strong and healthy immune system can help suppress the virus so it does not reactivate but there is currently no way to rid the body of it completely because it hides or creeps in the body s cells. We will talk more in this book about the immune system and also about treatments for herpes and ways to prevent recurrences and outbreaks. There are current studies being done to analyze how herpes reacts in the body and ways to prevent spreading it to others. There is also regular work being done to try to find a cure for this condition. There are now medications that can help suppress outbreaks

24 and help lower your chances of spreading it to a partner. However, at this time abstinence is the only 100% guarantee that you will not spread genital herpes to a partner. Below is an official statement from the Medical Advisory Board on current herpes treatments and how taking them may protect your partner. "Recent scientific research has shown that a dramatic reduction in shedding of herpes simplex virus occurs when people with genital herpes take antiviral medications such as Valtrex or acyclovir. Research studies are ongoing at this time to determine if this reduction in viral shedding will protect the (an) uninfected partner from catching herpes. The Medical Advisory Board of Herpes.org has determined that it does seem reasonable, in anticipation of the results of these transmission studies, that infected persons should consider taking their prescribed antiviral medication on a regular, suppressive basis in an attempt to help, as much as possible, to protect an uninfected sexual partner from becoming infected. At this time, the FDA does not have an official approval for the use of antiviral medications taken by infected persons for the protection of intimate partners. Infected persons interested in taking suppressive therapy in an effort to help protect an uninfected sexual partner from becoming infected with genital herpes should contact their private physicians to discuss this matter."

25 You can do your part and stay up to date on the latest herpes treatments and breakthroughs if you or someone you love has the virus. You can also learn a lot about the virus and how it works in your body from reading more into this book. Chapter Review 1. Herpes is caused by the herpes simplex virus. 2. The virus works by residing in the nerve ganglia after initial exposure to the herpes virus and then reactivating itself during certain times in the person s life. 3. During an outbreak, your skin cells are affected by the virus and an outbreak of lesions occurs. 4. Herpes simplex virus is part of a family of viruses that caused other infections such as mono, shingles and even the chicken pox. 5. Popular topical anti-septic herpes treatment is Dynamclear. 6. Popular anti-viral medication is Valtrex

26 Section Two: Testing for Herpes How do you know if you have herpes? What tests are there for herpes? Can the doctor test you for herpes simplex if you do not currently have an outbreak? How soon after possible exposure with an affected person can you be tested? There are many, many questions surrounding herpes and how it is tested and treated. This is a very important topic since many people with herpes do not even know they have it or have never had an official diagnosis. Also, in some cases, herpes is misdiagnosed so getting a test to prove it is very important. If you think that you might have herpes, you should see your doctor right away and talk to them about it. It is even better if you can go while you actually have an outbreak but even if you do not, you can still visit your doctor right away and talk to them about your symptoms and why you think you may have the virus. The doctor will then be able to tell you about possible tests to detect the virus in your body as well as other options for you if you do have the virus

27 If you have open, active sores from what you think could be a herpes virus; this is the ideal time to go to be tested. If the doctor is able to swab the sore for analysis, it is much easier to get a diagnosis. However, if you think you may have the virus but are not in the active phase, you can still talk to your doctor and there might be other tests that can detect if you have the antibodies for herpes virus in your system. Noticing the symptoms Most people do not find out they have herpes from a routine test. Most people notice the signs and symptoms first and then go to a doctor to have it confirmed. You need to be aware of what the symptoms are. Most often the initial exposure is the worst case of an outbreak you will get. This primary infection is what tells most people that something is wrong. This primary infection is worse because your body has never made any antibodies to the virus before this initial exposure to it and it takes time for your body to begin to fight it off. The primary infection may have more sores and may spread to a larger area of the skin. You might feel more generally ill and have flulike symptoms. You might have muscle aches, fever and fatigue. You might also have painful burning, itching and irritation in the genital area. With oral herpes, you might have painful irritation or sores around the mouth and possibly even inside the mouth. You might also have swollen lymph nodes with your outbreak

28 Available Tests for Herpes The best time to go to the doctor is when you have an active outbreak of the virus. If you see lesions or sores, you should see the doctor right away to get tested. The primary methods of testing for the virus are the herpes culture and HSV DNA testing. Tests for HSV are usually done only for sores in the genital area. In rare cases, the test may be done using other types of samples, such as spinal fluid, blood, urine, or tears. Below are the common methods of testing for the herpes simplex virus. Types of Tests Herpes viral culture. Cells or fluid from a fresh sore are collected with a cotton swab and placed in a culture container. A viral culture is typically considered the most specific method of diagnosing a genital herpes infection. Herpes virus antigen detection test. In this test, cells from a fresh sore are scraped off and then smeared onto a microscope slide. This test detects markers (called antigens) on the surface of cells infected with the herpes virus. This test may be done in addition to or in place of a viral culture

29 Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test. PCR testing can be done on cells or fluid from a sore or on blood or on other fluid (such as the person s spinal fluid). PCR detects the genetic material (DNA) of the HSV virus. This test can distinguish between HSV-1 and HSV-2. The PCR test is not commonly done on the skin lesions themselves but it is best for testing spinal fluid, for rare cases in which herpes may be causing infection in or around the brain. Antibody tests. Blood tests can detect antibodies that are made by the immune system to fight a herpes infection. Antibody tests are occasionally done but are not as accurate as a viral culture at identifying the cause of a specific sore or ulcer. Antibody tests cannot distinguish between a current, active herpes infection and a past infection. Because antibodies take time to develop after the initial infection, a positive antibody test may not be present if you have recently been infected. Some blood tests can diagnose the difference between HSV-1 and HSV

30 Herpes testing is done to determine where it is in fact, the herpes simplex virus that is causing sores that may appear in the mouth or genital area. Usually the tests are performed because the person has an outbreak of sores and comes in to find out what is causing it. If you are planning a test for herpes, what do you need to do to get ready for the tests? Are there any special things you need to do, or not do? How to Prepare If you think you might have genital herpes and you are waiting until you can take the tests or get the results of your tests back, you should avoid sexual contact until you see your doctor again. Even though there is no cure for herpes, you can still spread it to others, especially if you have an active outbreak. Also, if herpes is not the cause of your sores, you still do not want to spread what you have to someone else. If the doctor will be taking a sample from the urethra, you will be advised not to urinate for 2 hours before the test. Women should not douche 24 hours before the test is done in case a cervical sample is taken. Otherwise, there is not really anything that you can do to prepare for the test

31 How is the Test Performed? Many people wonder about what exactly is done during the test. For the viral culture, viral antigen test and the PCR test, it s pretty simple. They are going to use a clean cotton swab (Q-tip) and rub it against one of the sores to collect fluid to be examined. The sample might be taken from the penis, vagina, eye, throat or skin, depending on where your outbreak is. It is much better if they can get the sample from a small and new sore. These newly formed sores will contain more of the virus, making it easier to detect in the tests. For an antibody test, you need your blood drawn. They will do this by: Wrapping an elastic band around your upper arm to stop the flow of blood. This makes the veins below the band larger so it is easier to put a needle into the vein. Cleaning the needle site with alcohol. Putting the needle into the vein. More than one needle stick may be needed. Attaching a tube to the needle to fill it with blood. Removing the band from your arm when enough blood is collected. Applying a gauze pad or cotton ball over the needle site as the needle is removed. Applying pressure to the site and then a bandage

32 This is the same method that is used for collecting blood for other tests and when you are sick and you have likely had it done several times before. There really aren t any risks involved in any of these tests and very little, if any, complications. The swab test might feel a little uncomfortable at the time of the swab but it s over in seconds and usually feels fine afterwards. So, the tests are basically nonintrusive and should not cause you any problems. You may experience some complications from having your blood drawn but they are typically mild. They could include: A small bruise at the puncture site. You can reduce the risk of bruising by keeping pressure on the site for several minutes after the needle is withdrawn. Rarely, the vein may become inflamed after the blood sample is taken. This condition is called phlebitis and is usually treated with a warm compress applied several times daily. Continued bleeding can be a problem for people with bleeding disorders. Aspirin and other blood-thinning medications can also make bleeding more likely. Results If you have been tested for herpes simplex virus, you are probably anxiously awaiting your results. The actual time it takes to get your results back can vary. Results of a viral culture can require 2 to 3 days for a rapid culture or up to 14 days with a standard culture. Antigen detection test results are usually ready in about a day. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test results are usually ready in 1 to 3 days

33 Results from an antibody blood test are usually available within 2 days. But again, this can vary according to the doctor you see and the lab they use so don t be surprised if it takes a little longer. However, typically if someone has HSV, the clinic or physician will try to let you know as soon as possible to prevent spreading of the disease. So, what do your test results mean? Normal: Normal results are called negative. This occurs when no HSV grows in the viral culture, no viral antigens or DNA are detected and when no herpes antibodies are present in the blood. Abnormal: Abnormal results that detect the presence of HSV are called positive. This occurs when HSV grows in the viral culture, HSV antigens or DNA is detected or Antibodies to the herpes virus are present in the blood. If the test results show that you do have herpes, the doctor will likely call you back in to discuss it with you and to make sure you understand the disease as well as to talk with you about possible treatment methods and how you can prevent spreading it to others. It s very important that you attend this appointment and also, don t be afraid to ask any questions you may have

34 Emotional side of genital herpes One of the hardest parts for many people is actually getting to the doctor to begin with. Some people have a very hard going to the doctor when they suspect they have an STD. It is embarrassing and you will typically have to call and make an appointment which will require telling a receptionist why you are there. You will then usually have to tell a nurse why you are there and then finally, the actual doctor. You might feel silly or embarrassed or like everyone in the waiting room is staring at you. The fear and anxiety that goes along with it is one thing that leads many people to never get diagnosed or treated. But what you need to understand is that no one else needs to know why you are there and the doctors and nurses are just doing their job. They do not care about who you are or really even how you got it. All they care about is diagnosing and then treating you for the virus. If they think anything at all, it will be that they are glad you made the mature decision to come in and be treated for your problem as opposed to the many people that are too afraid to do so. You also need to remember that they have seen many people just like you and they understand that you are worried, scared and even embarrassed. They can also help set you up with a support group that can help you deal with this new change in your life and your diagnosis

35 Emotional Side of Oral Herpes When it comes to oral herpes, there is less social stigma. However, many people do not seek proper treatment for this as well because they think Oh, it s just a little cold sore, no need to go to the doctor. And this is where they are wrong because where it might seem like just a little cold sore, it still needs to be properly diagnosed if it is herpes and you need to understand what you have, how it is spread and how it can be treated. Too often people tend to brush it aside as something that everyone gets and that will go away on its own and they never get the treatment they need and deserve. They might also be unknowingly passing it on to other people because they don t understand how it works. This is why it is important for both types of herpes that you understand the symptoms; seek available testing and diagnosis which can lead to treatment and more information about the herpes virus such as great ways to treat it naturally on your own. But it all begins with that first step of going to your doctor. More about testing There is often a lot of confusion about herpes and the tests for herpes. Sometimes people do not understand how the tests work, how they detect the presence of the herpes virus and how results are obtained. If you have had or will have tests for HSV, don t be afraid to

36 ask your doctor questions about the tests, what is being done and what it all means. However, to answer some fairly common questions about herpes testing, we have added this section. If you think you may have been exposed to the herpes virus, you can not immediately run out to your doctor and have a test to prove you are safe. If you want to make an appointment, this is fine and if you have physical symptoms of some type of infection, it is suggested that you go ahead and make an appointment to have it treated. However, if you have been exposed to the herpes virus, it can take time to get accurate results as to whether or not you have the virus since most tests work by checking to see if you have antibodies against the virus. So basically, if you feel you have an STD or if you suspect you might have HSV1 or 2, you can see your doctor right away but be aware that in many cases, it might take time to get accurate results back. If you have any questions or concerns regarding your tests and your results, you should be sure to ask your doctor. This is an important aspect of your life and it s important that you fully understand everything. Are there tests to show you which type of the virus you have? There are tests that will show you whether you have the antibodies for HSV1 or type 2. These new blood tests are typically referred to as Type Specific Serology

37 Not all blood tests are able to tell between the two types of herpes virus and since both can occur in either the oral areas or the genital areas, you can t always go by location either. However, for most people, herpes is herpes and sores are sores and it s not that important which particular type you have. If it is important to you, then you need to be sure you are asking your doctor for a type-specific test. Serology tests are types of tests that check for antibodies in a person s blood. If you have the antibodies in your blood, it means your body has been exposed to that particular virus and has produced these substances to fight the past infection. This will also mean that the virus is still dormant in your system which makes you are carrier of the virus. Blood tests can be done at any time, whether you have an active outbreak or not because it doesn t require taking a swab of a lesion or sore. However, many commercial tests for herpes do not distinguish between the two types of the virus so if you want to know this, you have to talk to your doctor about getting type specific tests before hand. These serology tests are more accurate that antigen testing but there are a couple things you need to keep in mind. One is that all doctors do not automatically order type-specific blood tests. The other thing is that it can take from several weeks up to three months for a person to make antibodies against the infection so if you have been recently infected, it can still take some time to get accurate test results

38 How do type specific tests work? The tests are based on antibodies to two proteins that make up part of the HSV-1 and HSV-2 virus structure. One protein is called glycoprotein gg-1 and it is found only on the outside of the HSV-1 virus or in cells infected with HSV-1 as the virus is produced. The other protein is called glycoprotein gg-2 and is found on HSV-2 virus or in cells infected with HSV-2. the virus? Are there any tests that can show you how long you have had Currently there are not any tests that can show you how long the virus has been in your system. For example, the tests will only show that you have antibodies for a particular strain of herpes virus. They can not tell you that you developed these antibodies in 1998, etc. You may hear of testing for IgG or IgM. This is testing for the lymphocytes in your body hat occur when you are exposed to the herpes virus and if your test is taken soon after exposure, it can tell you whether you have IgGs or IgMs in your body but this is not really a way to determine how long you have had the virus, particularly if you were exposed more than 3 months ago. Whether it was 3 months or 3 years, the result would be the same. To understand these tests you need to know that B lymphocytes are the cells that are responsible for antibody-mediated (this is also called humoral immunity) responses, which is what occurs when exposed to HSV. (If you look up any of the previous terms you can find

39 lots of information about how your immune system works.) These B cells are coated with immunoglobulins and that's what gives them the ability to recognize the protein in HSV and trigger an antibody reaction. There are fives classes of these immunoglobulins or antibodies. Two of them are the IgM and IgG that you mentioned. IgM's are formed during the early phase of exposure as you mentioned. IgG's are the major blood plasma antibodies that are formed in response to a virus or bacteria. symptoms? Can I be tested for herpes even if I have never had any Again, this is a fairly common question. Since many people who have been exposed to the herpes virus show no symptoms or signs, they may continue spreading the virus to other people. It is important that if you think you have been exposed, you get tested even if you show no signs or symptoms of outbreak. You can be tested even if you have no signs and have never had any symptoms but it will require a blood test instead of a swab test. However, it s important to note that you might need to take the test more than once to completely rule it out, especially if you have been exposed recently. It may take some time for antibodies to show up in your system if you have never had an outbreak

40 Chapter Review 1. Symptoms of herpes include sores or lesions on or in your mouth or on or around the genital area. General ill feeling or flu-like symptoms. 2. Doctors test for herpes by taking blood or taking a sample of an active lesion or sore. 3. Positive test results mean you have been exposed to the herpes virus. Tests can also show which type of herpes simplex virus you have. 4. You can be tested even if you have never had signs or symptoms. 5. There are tests that can distinguish which type of the herpes virus you have. There are also non-type specific tests that just check for herpes virus, not a particular strain of it

41 Section Three: Prevention of spreading the herpes virus How can you be sure you will not transmit the herpes virus to other people? Well, first you need to understand exactly how the virus is spread. Then you will be able to take steps to avoid spreading herpes to others. Before herpes can spread from one person to another, it has to be able to attach to the other person s skin cells. The virus does not survive very long outside of a cell and it can not be spread across open space, only from direct contact. For example, someone can not sneeze and spread herpes across a room to another person. Also, you can not get herpes from someone spitting on you or bleeding on you. Herpes is spread by the direct skin to skin contact between an affected person and another person. It is not like the viruses that cause colds and the flu which can be spread through the air. However, it is important to understand direct contact and how this virus works. The skin is very resilient and protects you from many disease and viruses so while it is possible, it is rare that you get herpes just from touching someone. The transfer of the virus typically occurs in areas of mucous membranes (such as the genitals and the mouth). If you have a cold sore and you kiss someone, you can transfer the virus

42 to them. If you have genital herpes and have sexual contact, you can spread it to your partner. In some cases, such as if you have a cut on your lip or in your genitals, it can make it easier for the virus to get inside if you are exposed. Herpes can be spread through both vaginal and anal intercourse. You can also spread either type from oral sex. If you have a cold sore on your mouth, you can transfer the virus to your partner s genitals. If your partner has genital herpes, you can get it on your mouth from oral intercourse. Again, it is not the exchanging on bodily fluids that spreads the disease (such as with HIV) but instead it is the exposed contact with a sore or lesion. On those same notes, a person with oral herpes can give it to a baby through kissing them or even transfer the virus if they touch their open sores and then touch the baby without washing their hands. This is because infants have a weaker immune system that is not equipped to fight off the virus. So while a typical, healthy person wouldn t get it this way, you should be careful around infants and people with certain immune diseases that weaken their system. In some cases, herpes can also be spread from sharing lipstick or Chapstick, glasses, silverware and other items that come in contact with the sores of the mouth and then someone else s mouth. The same can be said about underwear or anything that comes in direct contact with infected genitals and then someone else s genitals. However, this type of transfer is not as common because the herpes virus cannot live long on these items. The transfer would have to occur immediately

43 Some people worry that they will spread the herpes virus to someone else in their family from a towel, etc. This isn t likely to happen but you can be sure to be safe by not sharing towels and making sure you always wash them. Herpes can not live long on a towel or clothing, especially after it has been washed so your family members will be safe. Mother to baby Another question that many people have is if they will be able to have children after being diagnosed with herpes. Men with herpes can not pass it down to their children through genes. They do however, have to be careful not to infect their pregnant wives. Women diagnosed with herpes will not pass it to their baby through genes either. However, there are some ways a mother can pass it on to her baby but there are also ways to prevent it. The herpes virus can also be spread from a mother to her baby. However, it is important that you understand how this transfer occurs so that you can prevent it if you are in the situation. Herpes doesn t spread to your baby through your blood the way some diseases can. Congenital herpes happens when the mother has an active outbreak during the delivery of her baby

44 Congenital herpes can be very devastating and possibly fatal in a newborn but it is preventable. A pregnant woman diagnosed with herpes will be checked regularly throughout her pregnancy and before the birth of her baby. If the herpes virus is not active at the time that labor begins, a normal vaginal delivery is usually possible. However, if outbreak occurs, the baby will have to be delivered via caesarean section to prevent the infant from contracting the virus. If you are pregnant and think you may have herpes or have been exposed to herpes, tell your doctor immediately. If you already know you have herpes and you plan to become pregnant, you should talk with your doctor so that you can get started on prevention medications as early as possible and so that you can be monitored throughout your pregnancy. The problem many women do not realize is that you may have an outbreak in your cervix or other areas of the genitals that you can not see but that will affect your newborn. It s never a good idea to assume you are okay and outbreak free but always better to tell your doctor and get monitored during the pregnancy. blood? Can the mother pass the herpes virus to her baby through her This is a common question as some diseases and conditions can be passed on in this manner. Herpes however, lies in the nerves and can only be passed to the baby if the infant comes into contact with an

45 open sore. Therefore, the baby is safe if the mother does not have active genital herpes during a vaginal delivery or if she delivers via C- section. Steps you can take So now that you know how herpes spreads, what steps can you take to avoid spreading it to others? It is very important that you understand that there is no cure for herpes and even with treatment, you can still spread herpes to others. You are responsible for not spreading this condition to other people. Knowing this, below are some steps to begin to help you on your way of prevention of spreading herpes to other people. 1. Recognize that you have herpes. 2. Seek proper diagnosis and treatment from a medical professional. 3. Learn all you can about the type of herpes you have and how it affects your body. 4. Learn how you can prevent spreading the virus to others. 5. Be active in preventing the spread of your virus to others. 6. Form good habits and good hygiene practices that will prevent the transmission of the virus to people you come into contact with. 7. Learn how to suppress active outbreaks to reduce your chances of spreading the virus to others

46 Spreading Herpes to Yourself Is it possible to spread herpes to yourself and to other parts of your body? Can you get herpes in your eyes? Can herpes spread to your brain? These are all good questions and we have the answers for you. The term for spreading infection for one part of your body to another is called autoinoculation. This doesn t usually occur with herpes if you follow proper hygiene. Since genital herpes is typically confined to your underwear, you don t have to worry unless you have been scratching or touching your sores. You need to try not to ever touch your sores and be sure to wash your hands thoroughly if you do. With genital herpes, you also want to keep in mind if you shave in the area to not shave over sores or lesions, not reuse razors you had during an outbreak or just avoid shaving altogether during an active stage of herpes. The blade can give you a tiny knick and spread the virus from an open sore to another part of your genitals, making your outbreak worse. Oral herpes also doesn t usually spread to other parts of your body unless a broken blister gets into a cut or sore somewhere else. You should be careful not to pick at or play with the sores to prevent spreading them. Or, if you touch the sores and rub your eyes, you can get herpes infection of the eye

47 Can you get HSV1 on your genitals by touching your mouth sores and then touching your genitals? While this is technically possible, it s not very probable. The amount of herpes needed to auto inoculate in this way would be very high and not likely to just accidentally happen from touching yourself. However, in some cases it does happen or if you touch your mouth sores when they are blistered or open and then touch someone else s genitals. So again, it s always best to just get in the habit of not touching them or washing your hands right away if you do touch your sores. When is herpes most likely to be spread? There are some times when herpes is more likely to be spread than others. Recognizing this can help you avoid transmission to others. Herpes is more easily spread when a sore is present- when the herpes virus is active is your body. However, it can also be spread at other times. Some people might have prodromal symptoms of itching, tingling and other skin sensations before any sores actually occur. Another thing that you have to keep in mind is that after the initial outbreak, many people may be in the active stage and not even know it. Or you may have only one small sore that is hard to see

48 Women can have an outbreak on the cervix but never show any signs on the outer vaginal area. So knowing exactly when you are in the active stage of a herpes outbreak is not always as clear cut as with your initial outbreak. Herpes is most likely to be spread from the first moment these symptoms appear (itching, burning, etc) until the skin is completely healed and looks normal again and all symptoms are gone. Since the symptoms can vary from person to person, it is not always easy to tell if you are in the active stage of herpes so you need to understand that you can always spread herpes to someone else. Your sexual partners need to know the risk involved. You also need to know effective ways to avoid spreading herpes to others- no matter which type you have. Avoid spreading oral herpes There are steps you can take to avoid spreading oral herpes to others. When you have an outbreak, or think you may be getting one, you need to take the proper precautions to avoid spreading it to others. You need to be careful, especially when you have active mouth ores, not to share drinks, glasses, eating utensils and other objects that come in contact with your mouth. You also have to be careful of kissing and if you have an active cold sore, it is best to avoid kissing altogether so you do not spread it to someone else

49 In fact, it s best to get into good hygiene practices all the time, especially if you are prone to frequent outbreaks. Make sure from the first sign an outbreak is coming on that you: Wash your hands often Avoid touching your sores Don t touch other open sores on your body (non-herpes related) Don t rub your eyes Avoid kissing Be especially careful around infants less than 6 weeks old. Avoid oral sex Don t share anything that comes in contact with your lips or mouth (glasses, silverware, lipstick, etc) Since herpes can still be spread even when you do not have an outbreak, you need to follow the proper precautions. As we said before, the virus can be reactivated without causing any noticeable symptoms or sores. Most of the precautions above should just become common practice for you. Also, if you are intimate with someone, they need to know the risk involved. Oral sex can spread the virus to your partner s genitals so you may want to use barriers, such as latex barriers or a dental dam, to protect your partner even if you are not showing signs of an outbreak. This is the best way to prevent the spread of the virus

50 Avoid spreading genital herpes Genital herpes is an STD (sexually transmitted disease). This means that it can be contracted through sexual contact. The only 100% sure-fire way to avoid spreading genital herpes to others is to avoid sexual contact. If you feel any symptoms at all- itching, burning, tingling, etc even without sores appearing, you should avoid all sexual contact at this time. Again, herpes can spread even when there are no sores or symptoms so the best way to protect your partner is to use latex condoms during ALL sexual contact. You might also choose to use spermicidal foams and jelly as extra protection. You also need to keep in mind that herpes can be spread from touching your open sores and then coming into contact with someone else so be careful in intimate situations of touching yourself and then touching your partner s genitals. You should always wash your hands carefully and avoid touching your open sores. Also remember that genital herpes can be spread through oral sex so your partner should use protection or avoid performing oral sex on you if you have an outbreak or symptoms of an oncoming outbreak

51 As an added precaution, you should avoid sharing towels with anyone else in your home if you have an outbreak. Regular washing is enough to kill the virus so you will be fine as long as no one uses the same towel you have just used and not yet washed. You also need to know that babies can be infected with the herpes virus which can be very devastating to a newborn. If you have genital herpes and are pregnant or thinking about becoming pregnant, you should tell your doctor right away so the proper precautions can be taken to protect your baby. What about public places? Many people worry that they can get herpes (or spread it to others) through public places like toilet seats or hot tubs. There are no known and documented cases of someone getting herpes from a toilet seat. Studies have shown that the herpes virus can not live more than about an hour on a toilet seat. Also, typically the only skin that comes into contact with a toilet seat is that of the buttocks and thighs. This skin is tough and resilient and makes a great barrier against the virus. So basically, unless someone spreads herpes to a toilet seat and you come along immediately afterwards and rub your exposed genitals directly on the seat, it is highly unlikely you can contract the virus this way

52 Even if there were herpes still alive on the seat, there wouldn t likely be enough to infect you with the virus and it would be very hard to contract it. Can I get herpes through sperm? Herpes is not spread through saliva, blood, semen, vaginal secretions or any other bodily fluids. It is only spread through direct contact with the sores or secretions from the sores and lesions. It is also not a genetic condition and is not hereditary. Therefore, you can not get herpes from contact with sperm or semen. However, typically when you come into contact with another person s semen, it is in a sexual situation. If that person had an active outbreak and they had open sores and the semen mixed with fluid from the sores and then onto you, then there is a chance you could get herpes from this. However, herpes itself does not actually live in semen or any other bodily fluid

53 Chapter Review 1. Herpes is spread by direct skin to skin contact with the virus. Rarely, it is spread other ways. 2. Avoid spreading oral herpes by not sharing things that come into contact with your mouth or lips, washing your hands often and not kissing. 3. Avoid spreading genital herpes by avoiding sexual contact during an outbreak, using protection during sexual activities and washing your hands if you touch your sores. 4. You can not typically contract the herpes virus from public places such as a toilet seat or hot tub. 5. Herpes is not spread through saliva, blood, semen, vaginal secretions or any other bodily fluids

54 Section Four: Genital Herpes and Oral Herpes explained You probably know now even if you didn t before that there are different types of herpes. They are most often referred to as genital herpes or oral herpes. What are the differences between these two types of herpes? How do they affect your life and lifestyle? How do they affect you emotionally? What can you do if you are diagnosed with one of these types of herpes? There are so many different questions. Here in this chapter, we are going to go a little more in-depth with the information on these different types of herpes. Another thing that you need to keep in mind as you are reading over the signs and symptoms is that herpes does not affect everyone the same way. It also does not affect you the same way every time. While your lesions or sores will typically appear in the same place each time an outbreak or recurrence occurs, other symptoms may be different. For example, you may not always have headaches or burning or itching before or during an outbreak

55 Different things in your life and your general health can also affect it. For example, you may have a more severe outbreak or more severe symptoms when facing times of stress or other illness. Therefore, it is important to realize that the symptoms of herpes are not always the same or the same for different people. Genital Herpes We have already explained genital herpes in previous sections of this book. You should now know that both herpes simplex type 1 and 2 can occur on the genitals but that when someone refers to genital herpes they usually mean type 2 of the virus. Click HERE for to see more examples of genital herpes pictures. There is a bit of a social stigma that goes along with genital herpes due to the fact that it is an STD (sexually transmitted disease) but in actuality, a lot of people have this virus. Some studies have shown that 70% of the people with genital herpes got it from a partner that showed no signs of an outbreak. Out of all those partners, some might have thought they were safe and would not spread the disease but many of them might not have even known they had it

56 This misinformation about genital herpes is what has caused it to spread so rapidly among so many people. Another reason is because people are afraid to go to the doctor or afraid to admit that they may have it and they never seek treatment for herpes. What you need to understand is first that this disease is very common. Secondly, your doctor is there to help you and they are not going to judge you because of your genital herpes. They see cases just like yours every day and it s not a big deal like it may seem to you. After the initial outbreak, many people may not have another or recurrences may not be as severe or very frequent so people tend to push thoughts of it aside and never seek treatment or diagnosis. The problem seems to go away on its own and they see no reason to seek medical attention or help for it. This is an unfortunate way to look at it because not only can you still be spreading herpes to others, but also because a genital herpes infection that appears dormant for months or years can then recur at very inconvenient times if left untreated. For example, during times of stress in your life or when your immune system is weakened, your herpes might reappear. Just think about it for a little bit. What are some stressful situations in life? When are times that your immune system might not be the strongest? What if your herpes returns right before your wedding? Or what if you are a soldier getting ready to deploy, a student about to graduate or a family member who just lost a loved one? Are you pregnant or planning on becoming pregnant? In these situations, you are going to have enough to deal with besides a herpes

57 outbreak, especially if you have never even been diagnosed. You will have to go to the doctor, explain everything, get tested, wait for results and then get treatment. It s much easier to just deal with it when you first suspect you might have the virus or have been exposed to it. Not only that but who wants to live in fear? Do you really want to go through your life wondering if this thing you had was herpes and if it s going to come back? Do you want to have to live with the fear that you could be spreading it to other people? It s much better to find out for sure and then you can take the proper steps to get control of your herpes. Signs and symptoms of genital herpes Many people with HSV2 do not even realize they have the infection. Some people who initially become infected may have no symptoms and not even realize they have the virus. In some cases, they may have few or no symptoms until much later in life when something triggers a recurrence that can be more severe than the initial outbreak. However, in most cases for most people, the initial outbreak of the infection is the worst and is more pronounced

58 The initial outbreak as well as subsequent ones may cause: Sores, lesions or blisters on the genitals Sores on the perineum or anus Sores on the buttocks or skin surrounding the genital area Flu-like symptoms Body and muscle aches Fever Swollen glands/lymph nodes Why do some people have frequent outbreaks and some have little or none? This is a common question since herpes affects different people in different ways. Most people who have their first outbreak of herpes can expect to have several recurrences over the first year. Typically, people have four or five within the first year of contracting the virus and after that, they tend to taper off in frequency for most people. Again, this varies though. And the severity of the outbreak varies. Some people will have symptoms so mild they mistake it for a bug bite or similar medical condition. People with weaker immune systems will have more severe and more frequent outbreaks and symptoms. The same can happen when an infected person goes through a time of increased stress or lower immune (such as when they suffer from another illness)

59 Regardless of how severe and how frequent your herpes outbreaks are people who discover they have it typically suffer from psychological distress as well. There are a whole slew of emotional issues that can go along with having an STD, especially one in which there is no cure, like genital herpes. For some people, genital herpes is very painful. For most, it is at least uncomfortable and inconvenient. Some people get a lot of sores, which blister and burst as they go through stages and are very painful, especially to touch. If the sores are around the urethra it can also be painful when urine comes into contact with them. Herpes lesions of the skin on the buttocks can also be very painful and uncomfortable when sitting. Wearing clean, breathable and comfortable underwear can help relieve some of the discomfort of a herpes outbreak until it has passed. When an outbreak occurs it is best to treat it immediately with a topical anti-septic treatment kills the virus on contact and will significantly shorten the term of the outbreak

60 Oral Herpes Many people are confused about oral herpes and what it really is. Herpes simplex virus type 1 is the virus that causes cold sores. A large amount of the population has this virus. You have probably seen a lot of people with cold sores even if you didn t know what they were. Typically people do not go around calling their cold sores herpes because this reminds them too much of the STD and it makes people uncomfortable. It is, however, the same virus. It doesn t carry as much social stigma as genital herpes but it can still cause psychological effects, especially on people that have severe and frequent outbreaks of cold sores. This is why cold sores continue to come back in a person again and again and usually in the same place. You are not getting a new cold sore each time you get sick. You are actually getting a recurrence of your original herpes virus. When you get sick (such as from a cold or flu), the herpes virus that has been lying dormant reactivates and travels down your nerves into the same place as your original outbreak

61 Oral herpes is sometimes spread in families where people share drinks, eating utensils, etc without washing in between. You need to be careful if you have active cold sores that your children (or other family members) do not drink after you, share your lipstick, etc. Signs and symptoms Cold sores are caused by herpes simplex virus type one. They are also known as fever blisters. They get their names because often they appear when the person is sick or has a cold and often the herpes virus itself can cause a fever. After the initial infection, recurrent outbreaks typically occur when the person with the infection has some other illness such as cold or flu. Signs of HSV1 may include: Tingling sensation in or around the mouth Sores on the lips, corners of the mouth or in the mouth Sores inside the mouth and on the back of the throat, etc Fever, muscle aches Flu-like symptoms Cold sores can sometimes be very painful, especially when they occur in the corners of the mouth and when they blister and burst

62 They may hurt when you talk or when food and drink comes into contact with the sores. They can also be very embarrassing since they occur on the face where people see them (like acne) and can have emotional distress as well as the other symptoms. Typically, when someone has a cold sore, they just want it to go away as soon as possible. It can be painful, irritating and embarrassing. It s also important that you don t ever pick at the sores on or around your mouth although for some people it is tempting to because they are there are they are irritating. But picking at them can make them worse, hurt more, become infected and can cause them to spread to other areas. It s best to leave them alone until they heal. Phases of HSV HSV goes through different phases, as we have talked about earlier in the book. Your signs and symptoms can vary according to the phase your virus is in at the time. It s very important to learn about these different phases as it can help you understand your herpes and also help you know when it is in the active stage. The stage of the herpes virus immediately prior to an active herpes infection is often referred to as the Prodrome (warning) stage. You might also hear people refer to early redness, vesicles, wet ulcers, crusts and healed and these are different stages that the herpes virus will go through on your body

63 Some of these phases may be obvious in you and some may be more conspicuous. During the asymptomatic phase, the virus is in a latent state and is lying dormant in your nerves. You will have no outer signs of the virus. You may even forget that it is there. This is the phase that everyone with herpes would like to remain in for as long as possible. With proper diet, exercise and lifestyle, most people can achieve this and that s what this book is all about. Asymptomatic When you are in that latent or asymptomatic phase, you are relatively safe to go about your normal actions. Your herpes is lying dormant in your nerves and is not active on the skin or surfaces of your body anywhere. You can not spread herpes to others in this stage because the virus in hiding in your ganglion. The problem with this is that many people can not accurately predict what phase their herpes virus is in. So you might think that you are in an asymptomatic stage when in fact, you are not. Warning Phase When you move into the prodromal stage, or the warning stage, you may experience very mild to no symptoms at all. But if at any point you start to feel weird or different, it could be your herpes getting started. You might feel tingling, itching or burning in the area where a previous outbreak has occurred. Not everyone has a warning stage before an outbreak but many do

64 This sensation is a sign that the virus has been reactivated in your body and is making its way through your nerve and back to the location on the skin of the initial outbreak. Some other signs of warning include: Pain in the leg or buttocks Numbness or coldness at the location of previous outbreak Tingling and or numbing at the location Itching at the location Rarely, some people have fever or headache This warning stage can last from only a few minutes to up to five days but for most people it is about hours. It is possible to spread herpes during this stage so as soon as you start feeling something coming on, you need to be careful. Some people have this warning phase come and go without ever going into the other phases. This is a good thing they don t get a fullblown outbreak but you still need to learn to recognize it so you can protect others from contracting the virus from you. Early Redness The next phase is often called early redness. This is because that is exactly what you get early redness in the area. It is usually just a small area of the skin and it may be red, itchy and painful to touch. The virus is just starting to grow on the skin in this stage and the skin might be itchy or sore to touch

65 It s best to try not to touch the area where a sore might be forming. You can spread herpes at this stage (to yourself or others). Vesicles Vesicles are the small blisters that will typically form on the top of your reddened area after early redness appears. You may have only one or you may have a small cluster of them and they are filled with a clear or whitish fluid. They can be very sore to touch or if clothing and underwear rub against them. This is the best stage of the virus to have a culture taken to test for herpes since fluid can be collected easily for the vesicle. It s also easy to spread herpes to others and to autoinnoculate. Sometimes women have blisters on the labia burst and leak down to the perineum or anal area and the herpes can spread throughout the genital area. Wet Ulcers This is the ulcer stage which is also quite uncomfortable and even painful for many people. The ulcers are basically just the vesicles when they have burst. They may feel raw and wet to touch and they may glisten like they are wet. Dry Crust This is also called scabbing and as the wet ulcers begin to heal and dry up, they will form a scab over themselves. Even though you are healing, the virus is still active and you can still transmit it to

66 someone else. It usually starts to be less painful and uncomfortable at this stage but you might experience itching as the dry crust forms and the ulcers heal. New skin is growing and forming under the dry crust and when the crust dries away, new fresh and healthy skin will be in its place. Healed After the crusting phase, your skin will then heal and active herpes signs and symptoms will go away. When all the sores have healed, all the dry crust is gone and you go back to the asymptomatic phase, you are healed. There might be a red spot or scar where your sores once were. The mark can last from a few days to a couple weeks but then usually goes away. During most, if not all of these active phases of herpes, you may experience discomfort and pain. With genital herpes, you will likely want to avoid things like: Soaks in bubbly or scented bath water Scented toilet paper Feminine sprays and washes with soaps or scents Harsh soaps or shampoos in the genital area You should also always wear clean underwear, cotton is best and allow the sore areas to breathe. Too-tight underwear or pants can irritate the area causing you more discomfort and even causing the outbreak to last longer or become more irritated

67 Never scratch at the sores or blisters with your fingernails or try to burst or pop them. This can spread the virus and cause infection in the sores. Other Questions Answered To fully understand these types of herpes, you need to know everything. There are many questions that people have regarding this virus and how it affects the body. Below are some more common questions that you might be wondering about. Can herpes cause headaches? Actually, yes it can. There is such as thing as a herpes headache and it is pretty common during an active outbreak of genital herpes. You might get a headache with your initial occurrence of herpes and some people (though rare) get meningitis with their initial occurrence of herpes. After that, you might get headaches along with the prodromal phase of your herpes outbreaks. These headaches signal to many people that an outbreak is on its way. Can herpes make me sterile or impotent? This is another fairly common question and for good reason because there are some STDs that can make you sterile. While there are many STDs that can make you sterile, such as gonorrhea and Chlamydia, herpes is not known for causing people to be sterile. Often people with herpes may have another STD and in some cases, herpes

68 is confused as another STD. So if you have any thoughts that you might have herpes, it is best to get a proper diagnosis. Am I immune to herpes if I had chicken pox in the past or the vaccine for chicken pox? While chicken pox is in the same family of viruses as HSV1 and 2, it is not the same virus and therefore, having one does not make you immune to the other. It is possible to have had chicken pox as a child which can lie dormant in the system and result in shingles later in life and still have herpes simplex type one or two. Just like it is also possible for a person to have both HSV1 and 2 types at the same time. You might have contracted type 1 and have cold sores when you were a small child and you shared a glass with a family member and then caught type 2 later in life from a sexual partner. Can continuing to have sex with the person who gave me herpes make my symptoms worse? Once you contract the herpes virus, it is in your system for the rest of your life. How many outbreaks you get and the severity of your recurrences vary according to your body, your immune system and how you react to the virus

69 Having repeated intercourse with the person who initially gave you the virus is not going to make the virus more severe. However, coming into contact with open sores of the other person can cause you to have sores in new places where you didn t before so it is best to use protection or abstinence during an active outbreak. However, you can t get more herpes or more severe herpes from repeated sexual contact with an infected person so basically if you both have it already, there s not much else to worry about anymore. Will it make our symptoms worse if I have genital herpes and have sex with another person who already has genital herpes as well? You can not be doubly infected with the same virus. If you have already been diagnosed with herpes, you will have it for the rest of your life. The same thing goes for your partner. Therefore, if you both have herpes, there is no risk of one infecting the other or of your symptoms becoming worse due to it. However, it is still advised to use protection or abstinence during an active outbreak to keep from spreading the infection to other parts of your body. Can I still spread herpes to others even if I am on antiviral medication? This is an important question since sometimes people think that being on medication means they are not contagious. You need to know that you can still spread the virus to other people even if you are on

70 anti-viral medication, especially if you have an active outbreak of sores. If you have questions about the medications you are on and whether or not you can spread your virus to partners, you need to ask your doctor. Just remember, antiviral medication as well as suppressive therapy does not mean you are not contagious and you can still spread herpes to others. Chapter Review 1. The difference between oral and genital herpes is where it is located and the type of the virus. Type one usually causes oral herpes and type 2 usually causes genital herpes but both types can occur in either place of the body. 2. Signs of oral herpes are cold sores or fever blisters on the mouth. 3. Signs of genital herpes are sores or lesions in the groin, genitals and buttocks (or surrounding areas). 4. HSV goes through different phases and can lie dormant in the body for long periods of time. Images ask.metafilter.com,brittanica.com

71 Section Five: Herpes and Stress You might already know that stress plays a big role in our health. But stress is everywhere, right? Everyone seems to have it at some time or another and to some degree or another. In fact, the more convenience our society has, the more stress it seems we have. We create ways to make things faster so that we can cram more into each day and it just adds to the burden. It seems humans are always on the go, always on the rush and always have something to worry about. But what we don t always realize is that all this stress and worry puts a strain on our bodies and it can really take it s toll, especially on someone who already has an illness. Stress can really be a pain if you have herpes. But do you understand how- and why? What role does stress play in herpes and possible outbreaks and recurrences? The more stress you have in your life the more outbreaks you may have. It has been shown in many cases that stress can actually bring on a herpes outbreak in someone who has been in the latent stage

72 My friend tells stories of always getting an outbreak right before a big exam in college. It s pretty common to have this happen or when you have other illness in your life such as if you get the flu. So are you wondering why it happens like this and why stress affects your herpes virus? People often ask why some people have more outbreaks than others and most often it has to do with lifestyle. One person may eat healthier, exercise more, have a stronger immune system and manage stress better than another, causing them to have fewer outbreaks and recurrences. It s not because one person has a worse case of herpes over the other person. It s because one person s immune system is better able to fight the virus and keep it from becoming active in the system again. How does stress affect herpes? So just how exactly does stress affect your herpes and outbreaks and reoccurrences? You might be surprised to know that stress can actually lead to outbreaks. When your body is stressed, your immune system is weakened. You are more susceptible to disease and infection. This gives the once dormant virus ample opportunity to activate itself again in your nerves

73 Moments of stress in your life can cause the herpes virus to reactivate in your system and recur. If you are a highly stressed person, you may continue to have more outbreaks than another person might. Getting your stress under control can help you get your herpes under control and live with fewer outbreaks and less intense symptoms when they do occur. Proven ways to reduce stress If you reduce the stress in your life, you will also boost your immune system and make your body more resistant to infection and relapse of your herpes outbreaks. You will also feel better and healthier all over which also contributes to fewer outbreaks. Just like with diet and nutrition, it s all part of an overall better body plan. There are many different ways to help reduce stress and you need to find ways that work best for you and your personality but here are some suggestions to help you

74 Beat Anger One major cause of stress in people is anger. Anger is one of the strongest human emotions and people who are higher-stress individuals often tend to get angry much quicker in situations. If you can learn to control your temper and your anger, then you will have less stress and lower your chances of being hit with an outbreak of your herpes infection. Here are some steps you can take when you feel yourself about to anger in a situation: 1. Recognize that you are angry. 2. Take a time out. Walk away from the person or situation. 3. Count to Find a safe release for your anger. Some people run, punch a pillow or perform karate. Just find something that works for you that is safe and let that be your outlet when you get angry. 5. Talk calmly about the things that are angering you instead of losing your temper. 6. Distract yourself with something like a walk or some other physical activity

75 7. Talk your feelings over with a friend or family member to help you calm down. 8. Write about your feelings. Typically in these situations, getting angry doesn t solve anything or help the situation in any real way. All it does is make you feel bad and in some cases (such as if you blow up at another person) it can just lead to even bigger problems anyway. Learning to control your anger can play a big impact in you feel and how you relate to your herpes. Different people handle anger and other stress in different ways so the key is finding a good solution to help you remain calm and stressfree, especially over the things that simply don t matter anyway. Then, it will become routine for you and you will become a less-stressed person. Learning to control your anger is one step is reducing stress in your life but there are also many other things that cause stress. Learning to manage your stress will make you a happier, healthy person. Studies have also shown that stress can weaken your body s immune system so if you want the best chance at fighting off your herpes outbreaks then you want to build your immune system as strong as possible and reduce the stress in your life

76 Stress Relieving Steps life. Below are some simple steps for reducing stress in your daily 1. Get up 15 minutes earlier. 2. Eat breakfast. 3. Make To Do lists. 4. Remember to stop and relax. 5. If you are getting upset, remove yourself from the situation. 6. Avoid negative people. 7. Take a breather when you feel stressed. 10 deep breaths in through your nose and out your mouth. 8. Brush your hair. The motion and the massage on your scalp can be relaxing. 9. Get a massage. 10. Read a book. 11. Keep a clean and clutter-free workspace. 12. Don t over-schedule. 13. Allow time for fun. 14. Remember to laugh. 15. Always be prepared. 16. Get enough sleep at night. 17. Exercise regularly

77 18. Have hobbies. 19. Eat a healthy diet. 20. Remember your priorities. Get enough sleep Getting enough sleep is very important to reducing the stress in your life. Not only does it allow your body and your brain time to rest and relax, but it also puts you in a better mental state the next day to face whatever challenges may lie ahead for you. A well rested mind and body is much better capable of handling stressful situations when they occur. If you are having trouble sleeping, try the following steps: Take a warm bath about an hour before bedtime to help you relax and wind down. Keep a regular schedule of going to sleep and waking up at the same time, including during the weekends. Avoiding working in bed or doing other activities in the bedroom that can make sleep a stressful time. Try not to skimp on sleep. Allow yourself enough time to get proper rest at night. Establish a good sleeping condition such as a cool dark room. Some people like to have a fan or background white noise to help them sleep. Plan the following day s activities ahead of time so you don t stress about it at bedtime

78 Try not to allow yourself to become over-tired or it can be even harder to sleep. Cut out caffeine, nicotine, etc before bedtime. (Preferably a couple hours before you plan to go to bed). Support Groups There are support groups and counseling available if you need help coping with your herpes diagnosis or even with anything else that might happen in your life that causes you stress. If you experience the death of a loved one, a big move or loss or change of job or some other significant change in your life and lifestyle, it could warrant some therapy or counseling to help you manage this stressful event so that you can still keep your herpes in control as well. Having good friends and family that you can talk to in times of stress is a great way to keep your feelings in control and reduce stress-related outbreaks of the herpes virus. Remember that to suppress your herpes outbreaks, it s all about having a balanced life. The healthier you feel, the fewer outbreaks you will have

79 Chapter Review 1. Stress affects herpes because it weakens your immune system and your body. 2. Reducing stress can prevent outbreaks. 3. You can reduce stress by getting more sleep, managing your anger and having a good support group. 4. Take an active role in beating and combating stress in your life so you can live herpes free. Images better-sleep-site.blogspot.com

80 Section Six: The Importance of Diet & Nutrition with Exercise You have probably heard time and time again about how important diet and nutrition along with exercise is to your body. From childhood we are reminded to eat your vegetables and exercise daily. We are taught about the food pyramid and the dangers of too much fat and sugar. However, what you may not know is that nutrition can also affect viral reproduction. This means that what you eat can really make a difference in the number of herpes outbreaks that occur. It can also affect how severe these outbreaks become. If you really want to take an active role in your herpes outbreaks instead of letting them control your life, then you need to know and understand the importance of diet and exercise. If you want to be able to suppress your outbreaks without medication that can have unwanted side effects and live a more normal, balanced life, then you just need to take a look at your diet and lifestyle. There may be some things that you need to re-evaluate and prioritize. You may need to make some adjustments to your daily diet and the types of foods you consume

81 But once you do, it will become habit and once you see the effect it has on the way you feel and the way it affects your herpes, you will never want to go back to your old ways again. Maintaining a proper diet with good nutrition and exercise can also help to decrease the length of time that a herpes outbreak lasts. This is very important because the longer you have to suffer with an outbreak simply means the less time you have to live a normal happy life. Anyone that has the herpes virus wants to be free of outbreaks as much as possible. One good way to help accomplish this is through a nutritious diet combined with an effective exercise plan. A key aspect of your diet and nutrition plan is to realize that it is all about finding and maintaining the proper balance in your life for your body so that you are as healthy as possible even with the virus. How does nutrition affect herpes? Your diet and good nutrition is a form of treatment for herpes that can be done immediately. It is the only thing that you can do personally to control your herpes outbreaks. You have the power to eat foods that can directly influence the herpes virus and the amount of outbreaks that occur

82 You can be proactive. You can do something about your herpes virus instead of letting it rule your life. By learning what foods can help your herpes symptoms, you can adjust your diet accordingly and take an active role in defeating this incurable disease. Herpes doesn t have to ruin your life. But one thing that you need to understand about herpes nutrition is that there are not any specific good foods that you should eat or bad foods that you should avoid to affect your herpes. Instead, you need to look at different vitamins and minerals that are in each food and also at your total diet as part of an overall package. It s all about choosing the right foods, avoiding too much sugar and sweets and other things that are bad for you and combining your healthy diet with a great exercise plan to reach your total body fitness and nutrition goals. Remember that it is about a complete, overall body and lifestyle transformation, not about a magic food that makes everything better. Helpful Amino Acids Did you know that there are some amino acids found in certain foods that can be very helpful to people with the herpes virus? Did you also know that there are certain ones that should be avoided since they can make your outbreaks worse? When you learn this, what they

83 are and what foods they are found in, you can adjust your diet accordingly and you will notice a big difference in your outbreaks and the way you feel. Two main amino acids are known to directly affect herpes virus. They are called lysine and arginine and are found naturally in foods. This is the way that nutrition can directly affect herpes. Lysine is a good amino acid that helps your body fight herpes while arginine is amino acid that can increase your outbreaks. The herpes virus is proven to reduce a person s immune system considerably. It s a double-edged sword because a weaker immune system also makes you prone to more outbreaks. Therefore, receiving a balanced diet with the proper nutrition can counter attack the infection by helping to increase your immune system. Certain foods containing arginine can cause stress on your immune system which help to increase the number of outbreaks you experience. They can also make these outbreaks more severe. We will talk more about the immune system later but it is very important that you keep it healthy and strong so that your body can fight the herpes virus when it tries to show its face. Other foods can strengthen the immune system which in turn will help to reduce the number of outbreaks

84 What is a healthy diet for someone with herpes virus? Now that we have talked some about the foods you should avoid, we will talk some about what is a healthy diet for a person infected with the herpes virus. The herpes virus requires the amino acid arginine to help it reproduce itself. This is the reason that staying away from foods that contain this amino acid helps to decrease the herpes virus. The key to having a healthy diet when you have the herpes virus is to balance the lysine and arginine ratio. That is, if you eat foods that contain a high ratio of arginine then counter it by eating foods that are also high in lysine. If it is difficult for you to eat a lot of food that is high in lysine then, you should consider using a supplement that contains lysine. The normal recommended dose of a lysine supplement for herpes would be 500mg. A healthy diet for someone with the herpes virus would be one that included high fiber along with vegetables and fruits. Fish, chicken, whole grains and turkey is a healthy diet to follow when you are between outbreaks

85 It can also help slow down how often they reoccur. It is essential for anyone with herpes to drink plenty of water but it is especially important for someone with herpes. You should also avoid sugar, coffee and alcohol as these can increase your outbreaks. Good foods include: Fish Chicken Whole grains Turkey Lots of water Things to avoid or reduce: Sugar Coffee Alcohol In addition to all of this, you want to remember general health and nutrition advice. You want to keep your body in shape and at a healthy weight range not over or under your ideal weight range. You want to eat a balance of foods from the different food groups each day and be sure you don t skip breakfast or other meals. Try to reduce the amount of fast food and processed foods that you consume. Fresher is always better. Following the same basic diet and nutrition guidelines that everyone should follow in turn, makes you a healthier person and

86 builds a stronger immune system that is better able to fight off the herpes virus. What foods are good for you? So are there any foods specifically good for herpes sufferers? Lysine has been proven to slow down the growth of the amino acid arginine that increases herpes outbreaks. Therefore, any foods containing lysine will be food that is good for you. These foods include things like cold water fish, sprouts and vegetables. Also dairy products such as butter, egg yolks, cheese and milk contain lysine. Potatoes and cod liver oil are also good foods for you if you have the herpes virus. There are many ways to eat these foods that are good for you and still have them taste good. These foods are not only good for your herpes but they are better for your general health which means you can plan meals that are great for the entire family. There are also many websites and books out there that offer cooking advice, recipes and more for people with herpes

87 What foods are bad for you? Some of the worst foods that you can eat if you suffer with the herpes virus are oats, nuts, Soya beans, coconuts and chocolate. These foods are rich in arginine and may increase your outbreaks. When you are suffering from an outbreak it can also be beneficial for you to avoid foods such as tomatoes and citrus fruits. Products containing vinegars should be avoided if you have herpes. Processed foods and animal products are also very bad for you. You should avoid drinking products that contain caffeine such as sodas and coffee as much as possible. Try to avoid: Oats Nuts Coconuts Chocolate Tomatoes

88 Citrus fruit Processed foods Caffeine Sugar What can you do at home nutrition wise to help? So how can you improve your diet and nutrition at home? Do you need to have a specialist help you? Can you prepare herpes-friendly meals at home? What are some easy ways you can have better nutrition at home? The first thing that you need to do at home is to learn as much about nutrition as possible. The more informed you are the better choices you will be able to make. Knowing which foods increase the outbreaks, making them worse, will help you to avoid these foods. On the other hand, knowing which ones to avoid when you are having an outbreak will help it to end faster. Avoiding these foods can also help the outbreak to be less severe. You will feel more confident and less stressed over your herpes because you will feel more in control of the virus

89 Before going grocery shopping make a list of foods that are good for you and take that to the store with you. Stick to your list and that will help prevent you from buying foods that should be avoided. By eliminating these foods from your home you are help to rid yourself of the temptation to eat them. You can also plan your meals around foods that are good for you. Whenever you are trying a new diet, this is always easier. Take the time to seek out some recipes that sound good to you and contain the foods you need in your diet. What herbs help suppress herpes outbreaks? One herb that helps herpes outbreaks is called Blackmores Lypsine. This product contains vitamin C, Zinc and Lysine which is what makes it so helpful. Other herbs help to build the immune system which will help to suppress herpes outbreaks. Some of the herbs that help in this way are listed below. Ginseng Astragalus Echinacea Ginger Ganoderma

90 Herbs can be used in different combinations to help slow down herpes outbreaks. One of the great things about using herbs to treat herpes is the fact that they are safe to use. Most come in a capsule form making them easy and convenient. The cost is also something to consider because normally herbs are much cheaper to purchase than most prescription drugs. People also enjoy that when they choose herbs and vitamins or supplements, it is better than taking prescription medications that may have many other unwanted side effects. Most people enjoy being able to control their herpes outbreaks in a more natural way. What vitamins can help reduce outbreaks? Certain vitamins can help reduce the number of herpes outbreaks that you may suffer from. Vitamin E has been proven to help to decrease the length of time that an outbreak will last. Therefore, a diet that includes foods rich in vitamin E is healthy for a herpes sufferer. Vitamin B complex has been proven to also be very helpful. Vitamin C helps to increase your immune system by helping your white blood cells fight against the infection of the herpes virus. This is very important since having a healthy immune system is a big part of the fight against herpes. Zinc also builds your immune system and

91 helps your body to protect against the viral diseases. However, anything containing citrus should be avoided during an outbreak. Vitamin A has been found to help reduce the number of outbreaks that a herpes sufferer deals with. It works because vitamin A helps the immune system to fight against any virus that invades the body. Since herpes is a virus then vitamin A can help reduce your outbreaks. Even so, Vitamin A is not normally recommended because it can build up in the body. In high doses it can become toxic. It has also been linked to birth defects so anyone pregnant should avoid this vitamin in large quantities. How does exercise help? Proper exercise habits are important in everyone s life. It helps you to keep your body strong and looking great. Most people will agree that the better they look the better they seem to feel. Good exercise habits can help you feel more self-confidant and help you have more energy than you thought possible. So how does exercise help a person who has herpes? When you are first told that exercise can help control herpes your first thought may be how is this possible. After all, how can exercise affect a viral infection?

92 The answer is quite simple. Exercise helps build and maintain a healthy immune system. The healthier you are the healthier your immune system will be. This in turn helps your body to naturally fight off the herpes infection. Exercise also helps to restore balance in your life which is important to help you relive stress. Stress has been proven to cause herpes outbreak to be more frequent and even more severe. So the more stress free you are the fewer outbreaks you may suffer from. This is another way exercise can help. Exercise should be included along with your diet and other steps to keep your immune system healthy and to prevent outbreaks of your herpes virus. How to get daily exercise If you are not used to exercising regularly, this will be a significant change in your life but one that is good for your herpes as well as other aspects of your health. It is very important that you work some regular exercise into your daily routine and make it a habit. You don t have to spend hour after hour in the gym pumping iron or become obsessive over your workout regime. Just finding little ways of getting regular exercise into your life is a great idea

93 There are also some quick and easy ways to get a little more physical activity into your day. 1. Don t park so close at the shopping center, grocery store, work, etc. 2. Take the stairs instead of the elevator. 3. Walk your dog (or someone else s dog). 4. Ride a bike. 5. Do some stretches and aerobics while watching your favourite television show. Importance of the Immune System book? Do you understand why your immune system is so important and why we keep mentioning it in this The stronger your immune system, the better able you will be to fight off a recurrence of the herpes virus. You can remain outbreak free as long as the herpes virus remains dormant in your cells. Having a healthy immune system is one of the best ways to fight the herpes virus. The immune system helps to protect the body by fighting off viruses and infections that invade the body. Herpes is a virus which can lie dormant in the body s cells

94 If your immune system is weak then it cannot fight the herpes virus and you will experience more outbreaks that can last for days. A healthy immune system will seek out and attack the herpes virus with antibodies. When this happens the white blood cells will become active and begin to destroy the virus. This is why the immune system is so important to anyone. However, if you suffer with herpes it is even more important. It could mean the difference between having a lot of severe outbreaks that last for a long time or shorter, milder ones further apart. Chapter Review 1. Diet and nutrition is important because certain foods decrease your chances of outbreak and certain foods increase your chances. Proper diet boosts your immune system. 2. A healthy diet can help prevent outbreaks. 3. Exercise is important because it helps you reduce stress, get better rest at night and build a stronger immune system. 4. Regular exercise helps prevent outbreaks of herpes

95 Section Seven: Herpes Treatments One question you might have asked yourself, especially if you or someone you love has been diagnosed with herpes is What is the cure? Unfortunately, there is currently no cure for herpes. There is also no vaccine that you can take that will keep you from contracting the virus. Although, they have created a vaccine for chicken pox which is in the herpes family of viruses and this is a good sign that one day in the future, there might also be a vaccine for HSV 1 and 2. Research is being conducted every day to try to advance technology for a cure for herpes but until then, there are treatments available that are very helpful to many people. For many years, there was no effective drug therapy available for herpes infections. Patients would have to wait until the herpes cleared up on its own and for some people; this was a very painful or uncomfortable experience. Some people have severe outbreaks or outbreaks that occur very often and they can interfere with normal life and function. Not only is it bothersome physically but there is also a psychological aspect that goes along with having herpes

96 This lack of treatment and drug therapy meant people with herpes simply had to suffer through it. Many people wonder Can I live a normal life now that I have herpes? They may wonder if they will be able to date, marry, and have children and other things. The good news is that with proper treatment, you can continue to have a normal life and do all those things that people without herpes can do. But the more you know, the better able you will be to do these things and do them successfully so knowledge is very important. In the past, people had to suffer through their herpes outbreaks no matter how frequent or severe they were. That is not the case today as there are several different medication options for someone suffering from herpes. There are at least three different medications available for people who suffer from herpes infections. Medications for herpes treatment They are acyclovir (Zovirax), valacyclovir (Valtrex), and famciclovir (Famvir). All three of these medications are very effective at treating herpes outbreaks. Typically, these drugs are prescribed during active outbreaks and may not be needed for mild cases. There are side effects to medications as well so typically it is preferred by patients to try to prevent outbreaks instead of having to depend on medication to treat it

97 There are also long term drug therapies available that act as suppressive therapy to try to prevent outbreaks from occurring. These can be helpful to people who experience frequent outbreaks that they can not seem to control through diet, exercise and stress management. Suppressive therapy is believed to reduce outbreaks by as much as 85% in some individuals. There are also some topical medications available that can be helpful during an outbreak to prevent secondary bacterial infections. Treatment without prescription medication Many people seek natural or alternative methods of treating their herpes outbreaks so they do not have to resort to these medications and the adverse reactions that can come with treatment such as this. Sometimes preventing outbreaks is as simple as making some lifestyle changes and reducing the stress in your life. Getting more rest at night and eating a healthier diet can play a big role in your herpes treatment. Some people are even able to treat themselves without any prescription medications. As you have seen we have talked about in other sections of this book, there are certain vitamins and herbs that can help suppress outbreaks and build a healthier immune system. There are also other ways you can fight your herpes outbreaks such as having a better diet overall, keeping your weight in a reasonable healthy range, trying to stay as healthy as possible and getting regular exercise. Reducing and managing the stress in your life is another great way to boost your immune system and keep yourself healthy and herpes-free

98 Is there a cure for herpes? Everyone who is infected with the herpes virus is faced with many life altering changes. It is not easy to learn that you have just been diagnosed with any STD, especially one that can be as serious as herpes. There will no doubt be many questions that you will need answered. Most likely the first question that comes to mind will be is there a cure for herpes. Unfortunately, there is currently no cure for herpes and there is no vaccine to prevent people from contracting the herpes virus. Once a person contracts herpes it lives in their DNA. Even though it may lie dormant for long periods of time, it is still in your body. Outbreaks could occur even if you appear to be cured and have not had problems with the virus in years. Sometimes certain events or stress or illness in your life can bring on an outbreak when you haven t seen one in years. Since there is no cure for herpes at this time, the next step will be to find out what types of treatments are available for the virus. This is important for your own health and well being as well as the health of your partner. Finding out which treatments will work best for you is very important in helping you to protect your partner from contracting the virus

99 What are the treatments for herpes? The most popular treatment for herpes is the use of specific drugs. These medications include Famciclovir, Acyclovir and Valacyclovir. Although they cannot cure the herpes virus they can make living with it much easier. These drugs can help to reduce the severity of the herpes outbreaks. They can also slow down the number of outbreaks that occur and could possibly stop them all together. However, keep in mind that even if you are not having outbreaks you are not cured; the virus is still lying dormant in your body. It is also still possible to spread herpes to others even while you are on these medications. During an outbreak it is important to make sure that you are taking all measures to keep from spreading the herpes virus. First of all, you want to avoid sexual activity during an outbreak. This would include the entire time of the outbreak from the first symptom until all sores are completely healed. If you have sex during an outbreak you are subjecting your partner to the herpes virus. The same rules apply to oral herpes. You can spread it from the first sign of tingling or burning or appearance of cold sores on or around your mouth. It is very important to keep the area of the outbreak as clean and dry as possible. This could prove to be a little difficult as you should avoid touching the sores while washing the area. Nevertheless, taking these measures can help the healing process and lessen the length of time of the outbreak. Make sure that you wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water to help avoid spreading the virus to other body parts

100 Many people have also found that using a combination of herbs can also help reduce the number of herpes outbreaks that they suffer from. These herbs also seem to reduce the severity of the outbreaks that do occur. However, anyone who has herpes should first consult with their physician to discuss all forms of treatment that are available. Treating herpes naturally As we have already mentioned in other parts of this book, there are things you can do to help treat your herpes naturally and prevent outbreaks from occurring without taking prescription medications. There are also some people who use prescription medications but find that even that is not enough to stop their outbreaks and they may decide to try other methods as well. If you: 1. Eat healthy 2. Plan your diet according to foods that affect herpes 3. Exercise regularly 4. Take herbs or vitamins that help build your immune system 5. Learn to reduce and manage stress in your life

101 6. Take steps to build a stronger immune system You can live a healthier life and treat your herpes naturally. You will have fewer if any- outbreaks and you will feel much better. Can you spread herpes to others while being treated? You need to be aware of the fact that even with treatment; you can still spread herpes to others. If you are in the active stage of herpes then you are much more likely to be able to spread this virus to others. Since people with treatment often have lesser symptoms, it can be hard to tell when you in the active stage therefore, it is best to just always use protection. Even if you are not noticing any sores you could still spread herpes to your partner. The only way to be a hundred percent sure that you are not spreading the herpes virus is by never having sex. However, you can help to prevent the spread of the virus by following the advice of your doctor and using all safety measures available. This includes the use of condoms every time you have sex to help protect your partner. You should also inform your partner of the risk they are taking by being intimate in that way. What is being done to find a cure or vaccine for herpes?

102 There was only recently found a vaccine to prevent chickenpox (herpes zoster virus) which means that a vaccine for other types of herpes may be on the way. Research is being performed every day to help find a cure and vaccine for this disease. There are several vaccines that are already in different stages of development. One of these vaccines includes the study of the DNA makeup of the herpes virus itself. Others include creating a vaccine by using the protein and enzymes that the virus needs to survive in your body. Since it is known that types of amino acids increase outbreaks research is also being done using these to manufacture a vaccine. It is very possible that in the near future we could see a vaccine for this virus but until then, people need to inform themselves as much as possible, seek treatment and do their best to prevent spreading the virus to others. Chapter Review 1. There is no cure for herpes. 2. There are different treatment and prevention methods for herpes. 3. There is no vaccine for herpes. 4. Current treatments for herpes include suppressive therapies as well as treatment medications to help lessen and clear up existing outbreaks. 5. Prevention is still the best policy for treating herpes. 6. Even with treatment, it is still possible to spread herpes to others

103 Section Eight: Herpes and the immune system We have already talked briefly in other sections about the immune system and how building a healthy immune system can help prevent recurrences of the herpes virus. But do you really understand how it works and what you can do to help boost your immune system?

104 Do you understand the connection between your immune system and your herpes virus? We also mentioned how proper diet, rest and exercise can help boost your immune system which in turn, makes you healthier, stronger and less likely to have a recurrence of your herpes virus. Understanding the immune system does not only help you prevent outbreaks but it will help you understand the herpes virus and how it reacts in the virus. What is the immune system? You have also heard us mention in other sections that a healthy immune system can help prevent outbreaks of the herpes virus. But do you understand what your immune system is and how herpes affects it? Before you can understand the role that the herpes virus plays on your immune system, you need to understand what your immune system actually is and how it works. The immune system is one of the most important systems within the human body. It works to help defend the body against foreign invaders such as a virus. It is a very strong and complex system that has many different functions to help it keep you healthy. Let s take some time to explain this system and how it works so that you can

105 understand how to build a better and stronger immune system and how doing so will affect your herpes outbreaks. The immune system is a complex network that patrols the body and all the different cells to keep on the look out for foreign invaders that can cause you to be sick. The immune system searches your body for antigens and identifies them as infectious agents or as self antigens (which are normal parts of the body). To understand this completely, you need to understand how the immune system works. To know how it works, you need to know how it is made up. How does the immune system work? Now that you know what your immune system is, you need to know more about how it works so you can understand how it helps you fight herpes. Blood cells The human immune system is made up of mostly white blood cells. However, there are many different types of white blood cells. Most in the immune system are lymphocytes. The two major classes of

106 lymphocytes are T cells and B cells. The T cells help destroy infected cells in your body and keep your immune response healthy and on target. B cells produce the antibodies that remain in your system after fighting off a disease. Some other types of blood cells are the macrophages and neutrophils. These blood cells help circulate the blood and they search it for foreign substances. If they locate a foreign antigen such as bacteria, they destroy it. You also have MHC and Co-Stimulatory molecules in your immune system. These are an active part of your body s defense against foreign antigens and disease. These molecules work by binding to the virus and then communicating with the T cells to help fight the virus. These cells are important to the response of the immune system for a timely response to the invading virus or antigen. For the immune system to work properly and most effectively, all the parts and components need to be working together so that the whole system will function at its peak. When all of the system is working correctly, your body is better able to fight against viruses that may be attacking it such as the herpes virus. Since the herpes virus never goes away, but just sits there in your nerves, you can t destroy it completely and be cured. However, a healthy immune system can help fight off recurrences when the virus gets triggered into being active in the body again. As soon as this trigger occurs, your immune system (if healthy) will get to work to fight it off and make it dormant again so you do not get an outbreak

107 Or, if you do, it can help reduce the time and severity of your outbreaks. Building a strong immune system So what determines how strong and healthy your immune system is? Well, actually some parts of it can not be controlled. Genetics have a play into how well your immune system works. Some people are just born with more ability to fight off disease and infection than others. Genes can affect the way your body produces certain cells in the immune system and the way your body reacts and responds to viruses and antigens. However, genes are not the only factors involved and there are things that you can do to help build and maintain a stronger immune system in your own body which is important for anyone with herpes. How does herpes affect the immune system? Herpes affects the immune system because it can weaken it and also make you more susceptible to other diseases and infections. Your

108 body is busy trying to fight off the herpes virus and might not be as active at fighting off other things that might come along. Your body s natural defense, called the immune responses comes from the immune system. The herpes virus attacks your immune system and your immune system fights back and a battle ensues between the two. If the herpes virus wins, you get an outbreak. Sometimes the immune system will kick into gear and fight the outbreak and it will end quickly or not get severe. But sometimes if the immune system is strong enough, you can prevent the outbreak before it even occurs. Anyone with herpes knows that the ideal would be to keep the outbreak from happening and keep your herpes in control at all times. To be able to do this, you need to have your immune system up to par. While you can t help certain genetic factors, there are some things you can do to help build a stronger immune system. How can vitamins help? There are vitamins that can actually help your fight against herpes outbreaks by building a stronger immune system for you. When you take these vitamins in addition to a healthy lifestyle, regular exercise and reduced stress, you will see even better results and truly be on your way to living outbreak free and without having to depend on suppressive medication that can have adverse reactions and unwanted side effects

109 Many people up-to-date on the new revolutionary approach to medicine may know about micronutrients already. Micronutrients are vitamins, minerals and nutrients that help support the human immune system. It is now possible to help boost your body s immune system responses by taking supplements. However, what can you take and how does it work to help? Vitamin A: Vitamin A has retinol which is at-soluble and proven to help white blood cell function, enhances resistance to infection and carcinogens and help maintain skin and mucus membrane defenses to infection. Carotenoids and beta-carotene: Beta carotene has its own exceptional immune-stimulating properties that Vitamin A does not so both are essential. Beta carotene is also a great anti-oxidant and there are over 600 other carotenoids found in nature. B vitamins: The B vitamins are usually looked at together as what is called "B complex". The B vitamins can be very helpful in immune responses. For example in AIDS, more rapid disease progression is seen in patients with deficiencies of the B Vitamins B6 and B12. B6 is predominantly important for immune function. B12 is also central to immune processes because it manages cell division and growth. Without adequate B12, white blood cells can t mature and multiply. Folic acid also plays a key role in immune system development and maintenance so you sometimes see it with vitamin B

110 Vitamin C: Vitamin C is well known as an immune system booster. White blood cells use Vitamin C to combat infections, and in the face of inflammation or microbial challenge, levels of Vitamin C are depleted. When you are under stress you need additional sources of Vitamin C as well. So this is how vitamins and stress reduction all go together to combat your herpes outbreaks. Vitamin E: Deficiency of Vitamin E is also fairly common and this is a great immune booster. Chromium: Some recent research has shown that chromium can enhance the ability of white blood cells to respond to infection. Copper: A recent study shows that a diet deficient in copper affects the human immune system by reducing the activity of some cells that attack invading bacteria. Iron: Iron deficiency paralyzes the immune response. But too much iron can also be harmful to the immune system so don t go overboard. The immune system fights invading microbes by depriving them of iron via a specific immune defense substance called lactoferrin. Manganese: Manganese has been shown to enhance macrophage activity. Selenium: Research suggests that selenium deficiency may allow viruses to mutate into more dangerous pathogens. It is also a great antioxidant

111 Zinc: Numerous studies now prove supplemental zinc can restore flagging immunity. As with iron and Vitamin E, more isn t automatically better. Daily doses of 100 mg. or more of zinc may actually be immuno-suppressive. Non-vitamin mineral supplements Other non-vitamin mineral supplements may help boost your immunity as well. Here are some of them: Alkylglycerol CoEnzyme Q10 Dimethyglycine (DMG) Phytonutrients 8 Great Immune Boosters! Like we have mentioned before, boosting your immune system is a fantastic defense against the herpes virus. Feeding your immune system immune boosters is like fueling soldiers for a war. Your cells will be stronger and healthier and ready to beat the herpes virus if it rears its head. Using immune boosters can help increase the number of white blood cells in your immune system, train them to be better at fighting viruses and help the cells work together and function properly. Immune boosters will also help your system remove any substances that are dragging down the body and causing it not to function properly

112 Below are 8 fantastic immune boosters that every herpes sufferer should know about. 1. Vitamin C. Vitamin C tops the list of immune boosters for many different reasons. It increases the production of infection-fighting white blood cells and antibodies and increases levels of interferon, the antibody that coats cell surfaces, preventing the entry of viruses. You don t need a lot of Vitamin C to make a difference. Studies show that around 200 mg per day is usually efficient. 2. Vitamin E. Vitamin E stimulates the production of natural killer cells, those that seek out and destroy germs and cancer cells. Vitamin E enhances the production of B-cells, the immune cells that produce antibodies that destroy bacteria. Vitamin E supplementation may also reverse some of the decline in immune response commonly seen in aging. You need milligrams per day, depending on your general lifestyle to properly boost your immune system. 3. Carotenoids. Beta carotene increases the number of infectionfighting cells, natural killer cells, and helper T-cells, as well as being a powerful antioxidant.. It has also been shown that beta carotene supplements can increase the production of T-cell lymphocytes and natural killer cells and can enhance the ability of the natural killer cells to attack cancer cells

113 4. Bioflavenoids. These help the immune system by protecting the cells of the body against environmental pollutants. Bioflavenoids protect the cell membranes against the pollutants trying to attach to them. 5. Zinc. Zinc increases the production of white blood cells that fight infection and helps them fight more aggressively. Zinc increases the number of infection-fighting T-cells, especially in elderly people who are often deficient in zinc, and whose immune system often weakens with age. 6. Garlic. Garlic is a powerful immune booster that stimulates the multiplication of infection-fighting white cells, boosts natural killer cell activity, and increases the efficiency of antibody production. 7. Selenium. This mineral increases natural killer cells and mobilizes cancer-fighting cells. Best food sources of selenium are tuna, red snapper, lobster, shrimp, whole grains, vegetables, sunflower seeds, etc. 8. Omega-3 fatty acids. The omega 3 fatty acids in flax oil and fatty fish (such as salmon, tuna, and mackerel) act as immune boosters by increasing the activity of phagocytes, the white blood cells that eat up bacteria

114 Herbs for a healthy immune system Are there certain herbs that you can take to help boost your immune system? This is another common question. You might be happy to know that there are some herbs that can help boost your immune system and it is typically easy to get them into your diet, especially if you take a supplement equipped with them. The most famous herbs for immune responses are Echinacea, Goldenseal and Astragalus. Echinacea Echinacea increases the levels of a chemical called properdin in the body which activates part of the immune system responsible for increasing the defense mechanisms against bacteria and viruses. Goldenseal Goldenseal has been proven to be very effective against parasites and in stimulating the immune system and for mouth ulcers. It reportedly increases the blood supply to various digestive parts. Astragalus

115 This Chinese herb is often regarded as Asia's equivalent to America's Echinacea. Studies show it has certain potent anti-viral properties and helps boost white blood cell fighting properties. Get moving! We discussed it some in a previous section as well but exercise can help boost your immune system, especially when done in combination with the other steps we have listed. Exercise gets your circulation going which gets that blood moving through your body and keeps your system healthy. Any type of movement is better than none so do your best to get your exercise every day. It s also very important to drink a lot of water. With all of these things combined, your immune system will be working at its peak performance and you will see fewer and less severe herpes outbreaks. Air purifiers Another option if you are looking to boost your immune system and keep it working great is to invest in an ionizer or air purifier. Studies have shown that these devices keep the air you breathe free of harmful allergens and bacteria. Keeping one in your home can help keep your immune system functioning properly which will in turn, help your overall health and reduce herpes outbreaks

116 An ionizer alone will not prevent herpes outbreaks but when used in combination with a healthy diet, regular exercise and total body health plan, you can build your immune system and reduce outbreaks. Chapter Review 1. The immune system helps your body fight off disease and viruses such as HSV. 2. The immune system is affected by your herpes virus and also affects the herpes virus and what it does to your body. 3. Certain vitamins and herbs can help build a healthy immune system. 4. Regular exercise and reducing stress also help build a healthy immune system

117 Conclusions Now we are here at the end of the book. There is a lot to say about herpes and how this virus works in the human body. There is a lot of rumor, confusion and speculation regarding HSV and we hope to have cleared most of this up for you in this book. You should now feel more confident in your knowledge of the herpes simplex virus. If you have herpes yourself, you will have more information on what it is, how it is transmitted to others as well as how you can live a healthy and normal life with the virus. You know how to avoid spreading it to others, including if you are a woman who wants to have children. You know that you can live a happy, healthy, normal life even with the herpes virus and that this disease does not have to control your life. You also know how to get therapy or counseling if needed to help deal with your diagnosis and the psychological aspects of having this lifelong virus. You know great ways to reduce stress in your life that will help not only with your herpes outbreaks but also just to have a better life in general. You also know how to help and be supportive of a loved one that has been diagnosed with herpes simplex virus. You have 8 excellent secrets to living completely outbreak free. They are: 1. What causes herpes and how it reacts in the body

118 2. How to recognize the signs of herpes and how to get treated. 3. Prevention of spreading the herpes virus to others. 4. In depth explanations of genital and oral herpes. 5. How stress affects herpes and how to reduce stress. 6. Why proper diet, nutrition and exercise help reduce outbreaks. 7. Herpes treatment options. 8. The importance of the immune system and the role of vitamins. These eight secrets to understanding herpes help you get in control of your virus and how it responds in your body which helps you treat and prevent outbreaks from occurring. You should feel more informed and more confident about your body and how it is affected by this virus. You have knowledge about how it is spread and how not to infect others. You have most of the most common questions regarding herpes answered for you. We have talked about the immune system, how it works and how it is affected by herpes. You know have great tips on how to boost your immune system and ways to keep it functioning properly. Since you now know that herpes attacks the immune system and having a stronger healthier immune system can help keep you outbreak-free, you are well on your way to learning all the secrets to controlling your herpes for good. Just because there isn t a cure at this time doesn t mean you have to suffer with this virus anymore. Take control of your herpes and take control of your life!

119 Our Trusted Online Herpes Resources Herpes resource and information site. Topical Herpes Treatments Dynamiclear Topical anti-septic treatment that kills the virus on contact. Amoils Natural healing oils Zovirax - Topical Zovirax does not prevent the recurrence of sores but may decrease pain and itching if applied when the earliest symptoms first appear. Aldara - Aldara cream is used to treat external genital and perianal warts and is different from most other treatments. Prescription Herpes Treatments Generic Valtrex - slows the growth and spread of the herpes virus so that the body can fight off the infection. Lessens the symptoms of these infections and shortens the length of time you are sick. Valtrex - Valtrex comes in tablet tablet. To treat genital herpes it is usually taken twice a day for 5 days. For cold sores, Valtrex is usually taken for one day only. Acyclovir - Acyclovir is used to treat herpes infections of the skin, lip, and genitals; herpes zoster (shingles); and chickenpox. It does not cure herpes infections but decreases pain and itching and promotes healing. Famvir - Famvir is an oral antiviral prescription medication. The usual dose of Famvir is one 125-mg pill, twice a day, for 5 days

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